Good luck to our Fife Family Branch as it prepares to open its regular ‘pop-up’ shop to raise funds and increase awareness about Huntington’s disease in the local community.

The shop will open its doors in Wellesley Road, Methil, from Friday 2 June until Friday 9 June, selling a wide range of donated items and staffed by family members and other volunteers.

The Fife Family Branch meets regularly to provide support and social activities for local Huntington’s families and to fundraise. It also put on a bus so as many local people as possible could take part in Dance 100 at Glasgow’s George Square during Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month.

The event in George Square highlighted how a lack of understanding amongst the wider public can leave families feeling isolated in their own communities.

Volunteer co-chair of the Scottish Huntington’s Association Fife Family Branch, Claire McKechnie (38), from Rosyth, said: “Dance 100 was the Fife branch’s first official outing since the pandemic and it’s really lifted the spirits of our families, carers and everyone who took part.

“For me, it really showed how we come together as a charity and as a community. I was introduced to families and carers from Fife who have recently joined the branch and I’m grateful to be able to help them in any way we can.”

Claire and her sister Heather took over as voluntary co-chairs following the death of their dad Brian who ran the group for more than 17 years.

His late mother had Huntington’s, and this fuelled a determination to do what he could to help other families impacted by the incurable condition.

“When Dad passed away, Heather and I were honoured to be asked to continue in his place. We feel blessed not to be at risk of developing the disease, but we are grateful to be a part of the Huntington’s community. It’s important to both of us that we continue Dad’s legacy by supporting local families,” added Claire.